Hoop toys



Jan. 9, 1962 F. A. FASANO 7 HOOP TQYS Filed Nov. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG: 1

INVENTOR. F950 4 FASAIVO F. A. FASANO Jan. 9, 1962 HOOP TOYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1958 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofiicc 3,015,907 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 3,015,907 HOOP TOYS Fred A. Fasano, New York, N.Y. (121-01 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, N.Y.) Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,588 4 Claims. (Cl. 4652) This invention relates to hoop toys.

An object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable hoop toy of the character described, which shall be attractive in appearance, amusing and safe in use, and practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown vari ous illustrative embodiments of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hoop toy embodying the invention and comprising a larger hoop and two smaller hoops;

FIG. 1a is a perspective view illustrating the method of using the toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toy embodying the invention including a twirling rod for twirling one of the hoops shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the twirling rod shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5a5a of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5b5b of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another form of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a toy embodying the invention, comprising a larger hoop 11 interlooped with a pair of similar smaller hoops 12. The hoops 11 and 12 may be made of tubular material, such as synthetic plastic, rubber, rubber-like plastic, or thin sheet metal, such as aluminum.

The tube 11 is split, as at 14. Into one end portion 11a, at the split, is fixed a plug or rod 15 which projects therefrom and is frictionally and slidably received in the opposite end 11b of said hoop at said split. In use, the larger hoop 11 may be held in the hands of a child, and the hoops 12 twirled in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 1a, about diametrically opposite portions of the larger hoop.

The larger hoop 11 may be separated, at the split 14, to remove the hoops 12, and then said larger hoop may again be closed at the split, and the hoop 11 may be twirled by means of a twirling rod 16, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The twirling rod 16 comprises a handle tube 20 which may be made of synthetic plastic. Extending through the tube 20 is an inner stem, rod, shank or tube 21, which extends above the upper end of tube 20. The lower end of tube 21 may be fixed to the tube 20 by adhesive or by a force-fit, or in any other suitable manner. The inner tube 21 may also be made of synthetic plastic and is somewhat flexible. Surrounding the tube 21, and rotatably mounted thereon, is an outer tube 22 which may be made of synthetic plastic material, such as rubber-like plastic, rubber or other flexible material.

Fixed to the upper end of rod 21 is a washer 23, contacting the upper end of the outer tube 22, to keep said outer tube from coming off the inner tube. Fixed to the upper end of the outer tube 22 is a music or sound maker 25. The device 25 may comprise an outer cylindrical wall 26, and a bottom Wall 27, from which extends downwardly a central sleeve 28 fitted onto the upper end of the outer tube 22, and attached thereto by friction-fit or by adhesive, or in any other suitable manner.

Mounted on the bottom wall 27 is a plate 30 to which are attached a circular row of metal rods 31 of ditterent heights. The rods 31 are arranged in a circular row spaced inwardly from the cylindrical wall 26. Attached to the center of the plate 30 is a base 34 to which is attached a flexible zig-zag wire 36, to the upper end of which is fixed a ring 37. Fitted on the upper end of the cylindrical wall 26 is a cover 38 provided with a doll head 39.

Fixed to the outer sleeve 22, and disposed beneath the device 25, is a cone 40, having a central tubular portion 41 contacting said outer sleeve. The cone 40 flares upwardly and outwardly to the lower end of the cylindrical wall 26. Attached to the lower end of tubes 20, 21, is a knob 45 of any suitable construction.

It will now be understood that the hoop 11 may be twirled by means of the twirler 16. In use, the child holds the handle tube 20 just above the knob 45. As the hoop 11 is twirled, contact between the hoop and the outer tube 22 will cause said outer tube to rotate and hence the device 25 to rotate. As this is done, ring 37, knocking against the rods 31, will produce musical sounds. Also, the head 39 will rotate to provide an amusing appearance. Furthermore, the twirling rod as a whole being flexible, will flex so that the upper end thereof moves in a conical path. Furthermore, as the hoop is twirled it may be cast oif moving upwardly along the tube 22 and along cone 40.

By making the tube 22 of rubber-like material, and also the hoop 11 of rubber-like material, friction is created between the hoop and the tube to insure rotation of the tube and the music box 25.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a modified form of a twirling rod 16a comprising a single tubular stem 50 with a knob 51, at its lower end, and a hollow egg-shaped bulb at its upper end. Within the egg-shaped bulb 52 there may be deposited pieces of metal or marbles 53, which will strike each other to make a bell-like sound. The bulb 52 may comprise a lower portion 54, fixed to the upper end of the tube 50, and an upper portion 55, attached to the portion 54. The hoop can be thrown oif while twirling due to the shape of the lower portion 54.

In FIG. 8, there is shown a twirling rod 16b, illustrating still another modified form of the invention. The device 16b may comprise an inner rod 60, on which is fitted an outer tube 61. The rod 66 and tube 61 are also flexible and may be made of synthetic plastic material. A knob 64 has a stem 65 fitted within the lower end of the tube 61. A cage 67 may be fitted within the upper end of the tube 61. The cage 67 may be made of metal, and clacker 69 may be attached therein, striking the cage as the hoop is twirling.

It will be noted that both the device 16a and 16b are flexible so that as the hoop is twirled the upper end of the rod will bend.

It will be understood that the plug 15 could be made in the form of a stiff plastic tube so that if any small balls or articles are inserted into the hoop 11 they can roll all around the hoop and through such tube.

It will also be understood that the hoop 11 can be opened up and the child may hold the ends of the hoop in his hands and twirl the hoops 12. One side of the plug or tube 15 could be fastened by glue or by a staple to one end of the hoop 11, and the other end frictionally received within the other end. If desired, the plug or tube 15 may have an outer diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of the hoop 11 so as to provide a good frictional fit for the attached ends of the hoop.

, It will also be understood that the tubes 22, 50 and 61 may be longitudinally grooved to better grip the hoop for twirling the same.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the condition of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

I claim:

1. In combination, a hoop, and means for twirling the hoop, comprising a rod having a handle portion and a stem extending therefrom, a 'sleevetelescoping with and freely rotatable on the stem, amusement efiect producing means carried by said sleeve for rotation therewith and operable in response to such rotation, means on the stem to retain the sleeve against coming oil the stem, and said sleeve being exposed at its outer surface and being engaged by the inside of the hoop during twirling thereof, the centrifugal force of the twirling hoop causing rotation of the sleeve during twirling.

2. The combination of claim 1, said stem being flexible.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said amusement effect producing means includes a casing and means in the casing to make noise when the casing is rotated with said sleeve, upon twirling of the hoop.

4. The combination of claim 3, in combination with a tapering member interconnecting the casing with the sleeve, with the Wide end of the tapering member at the casing and converging toward the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Inouye Dec. 24, 

